'Master League', for instance, though still PES 2014's leading game mode, takes a step back from last year, reverting to an over-simplified formula of managing a budget, assigning training points and negotiating transfers.

Gone is last year's equipment system, which saw players earn and equip individual stat and training boosts, in favor of a basic team-based points system featuring a handful of different abilities.

Likewise, touches such as press conferences and post-match cutscenes have also been scrapped, while transfer deadline day once again passes by without any fanfare whatsoever.

The PES 2014 development team has been limited by the time restraints associated with building the game from scratch.

It's a far cry from FIFA, which lets players talk to the press, criticize individual players and follow transfer deadline day as if it was being broadcast on Sky Sports News.

Ultimately, while we don't mind sacrificing these features for an improved on-field experience, it leaves PES 2014 lacking in the personality department.

PES 2014 does, however introduce international management options and 11-vs-11 online multiplayer, but it's just missing that one killer game mode to rival the likes of FIFA's 'Ultimate Team'.

But when you lace up the boots and walk out onto the pitch, the PES 2014 experience vastly improves, all thanks to the brand new FOX Engine.

You'll first notice it within the game's stunning new visuals. Animations are incredibly smooth, stadiums are beautifully recreated and most of the famous players greatly resemble their real-life counterparts, sweat patches and all.

Beyond cosmetic enhancements, the FOX Engine feeds into multiple facets of the gameplay experience, combining together to overhaul the way matches feel.

PES 2014's TrueBall tech and Motion Animation Stability System, for example, work in harmony to create much more open games that emphasise the importance of speed, skill and strength.

Take a good first touch with TrueBall tech and your momentum is much more likely to carry your player through to goal, provided, of course, you've got the strength to hold off a powerful defender, something which is dictated by the physics engine.

Smaller, quicker players such as Lionel Messi are able to make tight turns with the ball at their feet, realistically wriggling past players to give themselves enough room to shoot.

Get the ball to the feet of a powerhouse like Christian Benteke, meanwhile, and you can literally hold off the defender, nudge him back and create that little bit of space for a dribble through at goal.

Unlike past installments, in which dribbling opportunities (against the computer, at least) were reliant on the space you had when you received the ball, PES 2014 lets you create chances out of nothing.

This marriage of physics and ball control really does transform your style of play and ability to both attack and defend depending on who's on the field.

Making up somewhat for the lack of official licenses, PES 2014's editing suite also gets a FOX Engine makeover, with the ability to create much more realistic player likenesses and import pictures for customisable kits.

We just wish Konami had spent as much time overhauling the tired old commentary, which felt outdated three years ago, let alone now.

Off-field issues remain PES 2014's biggest problem, lacking that one killer game mode needed to overtake its main rival.

However, the action on the pitch is the best it's ever been, rivalling and arguably surpassing that of FIFA, and setting up a tasty next-generation battle going forward.

Next
PES 2014 will be released on Xbox 360, PS3, PC and PSP in late 2013
Copyright: Konami
1 of 10